SBY told to act to save party’s tainted image

Political observers have warned that Democrat Party chief patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s  initiative to publicly explain issues surrounding the party in relation to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) declaring party deputy secretary general Angelina Sondakh a suspect could be ineffective and counterproductive.

“It’s up to SBY [Yudhoyono] to decide whether he wants to set an example so that all party members will think twice before committing corruption or whether he is just satisfying himself with rhetoric. His speech might work with party members, but not with the people. People are waiting for real action and not speeches,” Indonesia Institute of Sciences (LIPI) researcher Siti Zuhroh told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Yunarto Wijaya of Charta Politika said SBY needed to take a stand and stop party members from making different public statements regarding developments with party.

“SBY needs to take a stand and tell his cadres to stop making statements over the graft investigation and honor the legal process,” Yunarto said Sunday as quoted by kompas.com.

Yudhoyono is expected to deliver a speech this afternoon at his private residence in Cikeas, Bogor, regarding recent developments involving the Democrat Party.

The expected statement follows the commotion surrounding party chief Anas Urbaningrum’s position in relation with former party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin’s accusation that Anas also accepted a bribe  and therefore should give up his position.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party communication and information department head Ruhut Sitompul said he had suggested that Anas step down temporarily to focus on proving that the graft allegation was not true.

However, other party colleagues, such as party advisory board member Ahmad Mubarok and party  corruption eradication and judicial mafia department head Didi Irawadi said Anas’ position was safe and would remain so until proven guilty in court.(mtq)